Surah 56. Al-Waqia

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When the Inevitable Event takes place,

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then no one can deny it has come.

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It will debase 'some' and elevate 'others'.¹

 Unlike this world of sheer injustice, the Hereafter will put everyone in their right place. The righteous will be elevated in Paradise, while the wicked will be humiliated in Hell.

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When the earth will be violently shaken,

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and the mountains will be crushed to pieces,

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becoming scattered 'particles of' dust,

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you will 'all' be 'divided into' three groups:

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the people of the right, how 'blessed' will they be;

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the people of the left, how 'miserable' will they be;

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and the foremost 'in faith' will be the foremost 'in Paradise'.

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They are the ones nearest 'to Allah',

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in the Gardens of Bliss.

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'They will be' a multitude from earlier generations

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and a few from later generations.

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'All will be' on jewelled thrones,

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reclining face to face.

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They will be waited on by eternal youths

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with cups, pitchers, and a drink 'of pure wine' from a flowing stream,

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that will cause them neither headache nor intoxication.

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'They will also be served' any fruit they choose

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and meat from any bird they desire.

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And 'they will have' maidens with gorgeous eyes,

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like pristine pearls,

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'all' as a reward for what they used to do.

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There they will never hear any idle or sinful talk-

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only good and virtuous speech.¹

 Another possible translation: “only exchanging greetings of peace.”

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And the people of the right- how 'blessed' will they be!

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'They will be' amid thornless lote trees,

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clusters of bananas,

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extended shade,

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flowing water,

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abundant fruit-

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never out of season nor forbidden-

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and elevated furnishings.

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Indeed, We will have perfectly created their mates,

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making them virgins,

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loving and of equal age,

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for the people of the right,

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'who will be' a multitude from earlier generations

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and a multitude from later generations.

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And the people of the left- how 'miserable' will they be!

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'They will be' in scorching heat and boiling water,

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in the shade of black smoke,

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neither cool nor refreshing.

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Indeed, before this 'torment' they were spoiled by luxury,

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and persisted in the worst of sin.¹

 i.e., associating others with Allah in worship and denying the resurrection and judgment.

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They used to ask 'mockingly', 'When we are dead and reduced to dust and bones, will we really be resurrected?

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And our forefathers as well?'

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Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Most certainly, earlier and later generations

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will surely be gathered 'together' for the appointed Day.

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Then you, O misguided deniers,

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will certainly eat from 'the fruit of' the trees of Zaqqûm,¹

 See footnote for 44:43.

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filling up 'your' bellies with it.

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Then on top of that you will drink boiling water-

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and you will drink 'it' like thirsty camels do.'

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This will be their accommodation on the Day of Judgment.

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It is We Who created you. Will you not then believe 'in resurrection'?

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Have you considered what you ejaculate?

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Is it you who create 'a child out of' it, or is it We Who do so?

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We have ordained death for 'all of' you, and We cannot be prevented

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from transforming and recreating you in forms unknown to you.

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You already know how you were first created. Will you not then be mindful?

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Have you considered what you sow?

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Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who do so?

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If We willed, We could simply reduce this 'harvest' to chaff, leaving you to lament,

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'We have truly suffered a 'great' loss.

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In fact, we have been deprived 'of our livelihood'.'

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Have you considered the water you drink?

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Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so?

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If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks?

71.

Have you considered the fire you kindle?¹

 This verse refers to two types of Arabian trees, markh and ’afâr, which produce fire when their green branches are rubbed together.

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Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We Who do so?

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We have made it 'as' a reminder 'of the Hellfire' and a provision for the travellers.

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So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.

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So I do swear by the positions of the stars-

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and this, if only you knew, is indeed a great oath-

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that this is truly a noble Quran,

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in a well-preserved Record,¹

 See 43:4.

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touched by none except the purified 'angels'.¹

 This verse refutes the pagan claim that the Quran was sent down by devils (see 26:210-212). Based on this verse, many jurists maintain that a Muslim should perform ablutions before reading the Quran.

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'It is' a revelation from the Lord of all worlds.

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How can you then take this message lightly,

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and repay 'Allah for' your provisions with denial?¹

 Some pagans believed that rain was caused by some stars.

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Why then 'are you helpless' when the soul 'of a dying person' reaches 'their' throat,

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while you are looking on?

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And We are nearer to such a person than you, but you cannot see.

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Now, if you are not subject to Our Will 'as you claim',

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bring that soul back, if what you say is true.

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So, if the deceased is one of those brought near 'to Us',

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then 'such a person will have' serenity, fragrance,¹ and a Garden of Bliss.

 lit., fragrant basil. Throughout the Quran, Paradise is described as being pleasant to the eye, the heart, and the ear. This verse emphasizes the scent as well.

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And if the deceased is one of the people of the right,

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then 'they will be told,' 'Greetings to you from the people of the right.'

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But if such person is one of the misguided deniers,

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then their accommodation will be boiling water 'to drink'

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and burning in Hellfire.

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Indeed, this is the absolute truth.

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So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.